Robert the Ridiculous
Robert was tending to one of his orange trees when he felt someone nearing his home. He walked around the front yard and stared at the six foot fence that surrounded his home.
The person knocked and he narrowed his eyes to see who they were. A traveler with a large backpack. They were wearing a hooded cape over their green tunic and brown pants.
“You will not find what you seek here, Traveler.” He told them, hoping that they would leave but knowing that they wouldn’t.
“I seek Robert the Ridiculous. Is this not where he abides?” The voice asked calmly.
Robert huffed and pulled open the large wooden gate, revealing the human behind it. Actually, they were half fae. How interesting.
“What is it that you need from me?” He asked, making sure not to sound too intimidating.
The figure pulled their hood off, exposing their long blonde hair, deep green eyes, and slightly pointed ears. The girl smiled widely at him, which was very off putting.
“Hello Sir. I’m here to ask you for a favor.” She seemed to be around 18, which was too young to be traveling these woods by herself.
“Young girl, unless it is for advice on how to grow a good garden, I’m afraid I can’t help you.” He told her, glancing back at his orange trees.
She laughed and put a hand on her hip. “First, I’m only a few years younger than you, I just look young. Second, if you’re going to refer to me as anything you can call me Kallaina. And third, I was hoping that you would do some magic for me.”
“Oh no, I’m not doing any more magic. Last time I tried, I had to live upside down for a week.” He shook his head. “I don’t know if you’d realized _Kallaina_, but they call me Robert the Ridiculous for a reason.”
The girl laughed. She’s an odd one. “I know, that’s why I came to you.”
Well, now he was perplexed. What the heck was that supposed to mean? “Continue.” He prompted.
“I want you to use your magic for my party next week. It’s a swimming one so I figure whatever watery mishap you can make would work.”
Robert narrows his eyes in confusion. “So let me get this straight. You _want_ me to screw up the spell and ruin your party?”
Kallaina nodded. “Well, it will either ruin the party or make it more fun, either of which is a good option.”
Robert was still confused. “Why throw a party if you’re willing to ruin it?”
The strange girl frowned and then huffed. “I dont want to throw it. My parents are making me do it to “better my reputation” even though I’m perfectly fine with how it is now.”
“You’re reputation?” Robert asked. “Who are you?”
Kallaina blushed. “Well, my name is Kallaina like I told you, but most people call me Princess Kallaina. I’m the second daughter of King Peladonis.”
Robert’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? I’ve been talking to royalty this whole time and didn’t know it?” Kallaina tried to say something but he continued, bowing. “I accept your request Princess.”
“Wait!” Kallaina yelled, startling them both. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so loud. But this is why I don’t tell people that I’m a princess, because they always act different and do whatever I ask. No matter what.”
Robert hummed in thought. “I suppose you’re right. There is a reason for it though, everyone in the kingdom is supposed to do that, it’s how we show respect.”
Kallaina scoffed. “I’d rather people show respect by being themselves. I’m sick of getting to know fake people. It’s not like I’m going to sentence you all for treason.” She muttered bitterly.
He considered the princess for a moment. She was dressed like a traveler, she acted just like any other person in the kingdom, and she didn’t seem to think of herself as better in any way. Kallaina wasn’t your every day princess.
_Definitely an odd one._
“Alright then Princess, I’ll help you because you’ve intrigued me. When is this party of yours?”
She clapped happily. “It’s in a week but if you’d like to come back with me right now, we can get started on the planning and I can give you a nice bedroom to stay in while you prepare.”
Robert nodded with a small smile. “Alright, let me go and retrieve a few things and then I’ll be ready to leave.”
He walked inside his home and began thinking of things that he’d need. As he entered his room, he grabbed his travel pack and started packing clothes for the journey. His spell book flew into the pack and so did his toiletries. A cloak flew in and then a paraphernalia of magical items followed.
As he put on the large backpack, the pack’s top closed and then a few pans and pots hung themselves on the sides. He walked back through the house and a few last minute things joined his pack.
Robert stepped back outside and gave Kallaina a curt nod. “I’m ready Princess.”
She raised her eyebrows at his luggage. “That looks heavy…”
“It’s a magical pack.” He told her. “It is extremely light and spacious.”
The girl laughed. “Of course it is. We should be going then, we want to get as far as we can before it gets dark.”
“Of course.” He said, following her off of his property.
As he shut the gate, he snapped twice to set up the defense perimeter and put the house into stasis.
Robert smiled as they began their trek. It was nice to be around people again. Risky, but nice.
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I don’t know if I should do another part that shows how the party and everything goes, thoughts?